The Northampton City Council voted unanimously tonight to table the proposed wetlands and vernal pool ordinances. The main reason for the delay is to give the Conservation Commission more time to develop a consensus around the terms of the vernal pools ordinance. Councilors said they would then feel more comfortable about voting on the two ordinances as […]
What You Can Do
NSNA Petition Signature Total Reaches 2,217
The North Street Neighborhood Association will present 1,358 new petition signatures at today’s City Council meeting. Adding to the 859 signatures submitted on August 16, the new total is 2,217. This includes 1,470 signatures from residents of Northampton and 747 from non-residents. The population of Northampton is estimated to be 28,592, so over 5% of residents have signed in […]
Ask the City Council to Stand Up for Wetlands on September 6
On September 6, an unacceptably weak wetlands ordinance will come before Northampton’s City Council. Developers will be encouraged to encroach as close as 10 feet to wetlands in downtown areas. Vernal pool protection has been put in limbo. This will facilitate such ill-conceived proposals as Kohl Construction’s 31-unit condo development slated for the woods behind […]
NSNA To Present 859 Petition Signatures to City Council Today
The North Street Neighborhood Association will present 859 petition signatures at today’s City Council meeting. This includes 613 signatures from residents of Northampton and 246 from non-residents. The petitions began circulating on July 21. The City Council meeting will take place at 7:15pm in City Hall, 210 Main Street, in the second floor hearing room. Concerned citizens are […]
Reminder: City Council Meeting on August 16
We encourage all concerned citizens to attend Thursday’s City Council meeting (August 16). The public comment period begins at 7:15pm. The meeting will take place in the second floor hearing room in City Hall (210 Main Street). This room is smaller than the regular meetingplace, so we suggest you arrive a few minutes early to […]
Conservation Easements Preserve Land, with Potential Tax Benefits
Conservation easements are booming, reports The New York Times (“Love That View?”, June 29, 2007). The Land Trust Alliance says they’re up 148% since 2000. Landowners give up the right to develop a parcel, conveying it to a nonprofit land trust. To earn a tax benefit, the land “must be a habitat for certain types of wildlife, […]
Sustainable Northampton: An Open Letter to the Cecil Group
Northampton’s Planning Board will hold a two-hour workshop to review the Sustainability Plan (PDF) on August 9 and possibly again later in the month. While public comments will not be taken at these workshops, the public is encouraged to email comments to su********************@********up.com. Here is an expanded version of comments we recently sent to Cecil […]
Clean Water Action Massachusetts: “Support The Right of Citizens to Appeal DEP Wetlands Decisions”
Clean Water Action Massachusetts is circulating the following email bulletin today:Support The Right of Citizens to Appeal DEP Wetlands Decisions Take Action Now: Send a comment to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the public record by August 13th in support of the right of citizens to appeal DEP wetlands decisions… Over 400 concerned […]
Conservation Commission to Take Up Kohl’s Wetlands Delineation on August 23
Northampton’s Conservation Commission plans to discuss Kohl Construction’s wetlands delineation on August 23, 5:30pm at City Hall. Concerned citizens are urged to attend this hearing. Kohl Construction is doing business as Northern Avenue Homes and Tofino Associates. Here are the details: Northampton Conservation CommissionAgendaDate: Thursday August 23, 2007Time: 5:30 PMPlace: City Hall Hearing Room (use back […]
Wetlands Ordinance, Other Important Meetings on Tap for Today
All those interested in a Sustainable Northampton are urged to attend one or more of the following public meetings today: Attend the Ordinance Committee meeting on July 24, 6:00pm at 212 Main Street in City Council Chambers. This meeting will discuss changes to Northampton’s wetlands regulationsCouncilor David Narkewicz says this is the “final and required […]